Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh, is not only a beautiful place to visit, it's a fantastic place to live. Wherever you look, the buildings are striking - whether you're getting lost in the narrow streets of the Old Town, exploring the Georgian elegance of the New Town or looking up at old tenements, you'll be impressed.

It's not just the city's looks, though. Edinburgh recently came second in a global quality of life survey - largely thanks to good salaries, living costs, and a wide range of travel links, including the Edinburgh Trams which is a 14-kilometre line between York Place in New Town and Edinburgh Airport, with 16 stops.

With loads of entertainment throughout the year, there's a varied arts and culture scene, exciting nightlife and so much more. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is just the tip of the iceberg.

Living in Edinburgh

Perhaps you love heritage attractions like Edinburgh Castle. Maybe you're happiest on a country walk up Arthur's Seat or along the Water of Leith. Or you could enjoy browsing the shops before a nice lunch. However you prefer to pass your spare time, Edinburgh delivers.

It's also one of the fastest-growing cities in the UK. It's an exciting time to live, work or study in the city, with plenty of investment, job opportunities and housing development. Should you need to travel elsewhere, Edinburgh is well-connected to the rest of Scotland and England by plane, train or car.

Where should you look for a flat in Edinburgh?

Finding your perfect flat couldn't be easier with s1homes, Scotland's biggest property site. Although Edinburgh is compact, there are plenty of residential hubs with a lot of choice of properties.

Let's start with one of the most sought-after areas, Morningside. If you want a balance of open spaces and local amenities, without being far from the city centre, it's ideal. On a bus, it only takes 15 minutes to get into Edinburgh. Start your search around Comiston Road. Nearby Merchiston and Newington are also worth looking at for flats.

If you want to be within walking distance of the centre, try Stockbridge or Inverleith, both close to The Royal Botanic Gardens. These areas manage to have a village vibe, with good schools, parks and cafés, but are close to the popular New Town in central Edinburgh.

New Town has its own highlights when it comes to looking for a flat, including Moray Place, Heriot Row and Regent Terrace.

Be sure to check out the city's Southside too. Marchmont, Bruntsfield and the Grange are all popular. You're near the Meadows, one of Edinburgh's many public parks and Arthur's Seat isn't too far - about the same distance as the city centre.

Last but not least, there's nearby Leith. On the waterfront, it's definitely come into its own as transport links into Edinburgh have improved. You'll find loads of new developments, alongside traditional sandstone and tenement buildings.

In fact, a lot of the coastal villages boast decently priced housing and great amenities including good schools and shops. Try Aberlady or North Berwick if you prefer a commuter area.

Find your ideal flat with s1homes

Competition for flats can be tough in Edinburgh - they're in high demand. Set up email alerts for your favourite locations and be among the first to find out about new listings with s1homes. You can easily browse and shortlist flats online, making your property search more straightforward than ever.